CPU
GPU
Xeon Gold 6438N
Xeon Platinum 8160M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6438N
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Platinum 8160M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6438N | Xeon Platinum 8160M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,351) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6438N | Xeon Platinum 8160M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+864%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,351) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6438N and Xeon Platinum 8160M
Xeon Gold 6438N
The Xeon Gold 6438N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 52,789 points. Launch price was $3,351.
Xeon Platinum 8160M
The Xeon Platinum 8160M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 53,158 points. Launch price was $7,704.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6438N packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8160M offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160M — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8160M (base: 2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6438N uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8160M uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6438N scores 52,789 against the Xeon Platinum 8160M's 53,158 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8160M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,500 vs 850, a 55.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438N that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,000 vs 15,000 (28.6% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6438N). L3 cache: 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438N vs 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160M.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6438N | Xeon Platinum 8160M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 32 / 64+33% | 24 / 48 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.1 GHz+5% |
| L3 Cache | 60 MB+82% | 33 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 24 MB+1100% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 52,789 | 53,158 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,500+76% | 850 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 20,000+33% | 15,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6438N uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8160M uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438N versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160M — the Xeon Gold 6438N supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6438N supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB — 90.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6438N) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8160M). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 6438N) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8160M) — the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N) and C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160M).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6438N | Xeon Platinum 8160M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | LGA3647 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+25% | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 GB+167% | 1536 GB |
| RAM Channels | 8+33% | 6 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80+67% | 48 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6438N targets Server, Xeon Platinum 8160M targets Datacenter. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354; Xeon Platinum 8160M rivals EPYC 7401.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6438N | Xeon Platinum 8160M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Server | Datacenter |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6438N launched at $3351 MSRP, while the Xeon Platinum 8160M debuted at $5000. At current prices ($3351 vs $350), the Xeon Platinum 8160M is $3001 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6438N delivers 15.8 pts/$ vs 151.9 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8160M — making the Xeon Platinum 8160M the 162.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6438N | Xeon Platinum 8160M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $3351-33% | $5000 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $3351 | $350-90% |
| Performance per Dollar | 15.8 | 151.9+861% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2017 |
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